Barbara Kimbrew of Geauga Savings Bank and Jean Young of Huntington National Bank served as co-chairs for both the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.

Kimbrew noted that 2012 was "a tough campaign" not only because of the struggling economy but also due to the Chardon High School shooting incident on Feb. 27, 2012.

Geauga United Way spearheaded a separate Chardon Healing Fund effort which thus far has received $952,514.

Guest speaker Monica Robins, senior health correspondent for WKYC-TV Channel 3, said she has personally witnessed how the funds have helped Nick Walczak, one of the shooting victims who was paralyzed as a result of the incident, "to regain his life."

Robins also focused much of her talk on what she termed a "heroin epidemic" and revealed that three of her family members have died from overdosing on the drug.

"It's killed kids in the suburbs and it's even here in bucolic Geauga County," she said.

Robins reported that 62 people in the rural county fell victim to heroin through death within the last two and one-half years.

"Heroin: Old Drug -- New Killer Epidemic," A WKYC-TV Channel 3 documentary she worked on, was produced to "get the conversation started" about the drug's rise in popularity and devastating effects, she said.

Several awards were presented at the meeting by Republican state Sen. John Eklund of Munson Township who hosted the event. Eklund also serves as the current Geauga United Way board chairman.

Receiving Community Advocate Recognition awards were Angela Daugherty of Family Pride of Northeast Ohio, Inc. and Tracy Jordan, Victim Advocate with the Geauga County Sheriff's Department.

The women, who were instrumental in assisting the families affected by the Chardon shooting, were given a standing ovation by meeting attendees.

"These individuals have shown character with a capital 'C'," Eklund said as he praised them for their work.

April Siegel-Green, director of the Office of Exceptional Children for Chardon Schools, also was acknowledged for her work in helping those impacted by the incident.

"She stepped up to become the bridge builder of healing," Eklund said.

Honored with the Youth Live United award were students from Cardinal Middle, Hambden Elementary and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin schools along with Huntington National Bank.

Community Spirit Awards were given to Geauga County Job and Family Services, Home Savings Charitable Foundation, Lincoln Electric Company, Pentair Foundation and Troy Chemical Industries.

Great Lakes Cheese was noted for producing the "Most Inspiring Campaign" and Giant Eagle Stores and Giant Eagle GetGo for "Employee Campaign Team of the Year."

The meeting ended with a look at future endeavors of the agency which includes the establishment of a strategic planning commission through a grant from the Cleveland Foundation. The opening of an Aging and Disability Resource Center will assist adults with disabilities and senior citizens